Metrobus comes to another city: Test drives have begun
A decision has been made to test long metrobus vehicles in Bursa as part of a goal to transform public transportation; preparations for the trial process, which will be conducted with special security measures, have been completed.
12punto
The first steps of a significant change in public transportation are being taken in Bursa. According to the latest regulation, the AKIA LF25, a long metrobus model planned for the city, will begin test drives on designated routes. This implementation, which will be realized with the approval of UKOME, stands out as a harbinger of a new era in public transport in Bursa.
Evaluating the application by BURULAŞ to bring the initiative to life, the Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME) granted the AKIA LF25 model metrobus permission to conduct test drives on city roads. According to the decision, these long vehicles will be tested only on specific lines and without passengers.
Test routes are limited to the area from the BURULAŞ Depot Area to the Emek and Mudanya BUDO lines. Test drives will not be conducted during peak traffic hours, specifically between 07:00-09:30 in the morning and 16:30-19:00 in the evening. Furthermore, tests will not be carried out on any routes other than those planned.
Security conditions have been specially arranged. The test vehicle will be in traffic accompanied by at least two escort vehicles with yellow flashing lights, bearing the sign “Caution! Long Vehicle” on the front and back. At critical intersections, security forces or municipal police teams are responsible for taking precautions. All test operations will be carried out without passengers, using only ballast, with the aim of ensuring that transportation is not disrupted and that the trial process is conducted safely.
Because the metrobus has a length exceeding standard limits, obtaining special technical compliance reports from the General Directorate of Highways was made a prerequisite for the test process to begin. Tests will strictly not be permitted without the necessary authorization documents.
If any damage occurs to municipal infrastructure, roads, bridges, or signaling equipment during the test, all responsibility will lie with the company initiating the movement. In addition, extended liability insurance, which secures third parties against potential risks, has been made mandatory.
According to the statements made, it was noted that if all these conditions are met in full, the one-month trial process could be completed without any negative outcomes.